The male genitalia of ants: musculature, homology, and functional morphology (Hymenoptera, Aculeata, Formicidae)

By

Boudinot, Brendon E.

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2013

Original Publication

Journal of Hymenoptera research

Volume

30

Pages

29-49

Subjects

Anatomy , Army ants , kinesiology , Morphology , reproductive biology

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Washington, D.C International Society of Hymenopterists

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.30.3535

 

Abstract

The genitalia of male ants are interpreted in the context of the broader Hymenoptera. For the first time muscle homologies are established for twenty six species of ants in nine subfamilies: Amblyoponinae, Cerapachyinae, Dolichoderinae, Ecitoninae, Ectatomminae, Formicinae, Leptanilloidinae, Myrmicinae and Ponerinae. Fifteen muscles in total are found in the external genitalia of male ants and all are homologous with the musculature of basal Hymenoptera (Schulmeister 2001). Secondary fusion, reduction or losses of muscles have occurred in different lineages. From generalized to derived, the functional morphology and qualitative mechanics of three taxa, Formica obscuripes Forel 1886, Messor andrei Mayr (1886) and Labidus coecus Latreille (1802) are described and compared. Special reference is made to the Ecitoninae, where the work of Birket-Smith (1981) is reinterpreted and volsellar homology is clarified. The true digitus of Labidus is revealed to be a small sclerite at the base of the distal volsellar element which is re-identified as the cuspis.